F 74 
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Copy 1 



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HISTORICAL ADDRESS 



DELIVERED BY 



Ex-Mayor Wm. H. Furber. 



HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING, 



SOMERVILLE, 



J-ULl-5^ 4^ 13^6. 



PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL. 




BOSTON: 

J . E . F A IMV E L L , PRINTER 
No. 34 Mercuants Row. 

18 7 6. 



f14 



CfiXA 



26498 
CITY OF SOMERVILLE 



In Board oj- Mayor and Aldermen, July 10, 1876. 
Ordered : — 

That the Committee on Printing be, and they are hereby authorized to 
cause five hundred copies of Hon. William H. Furber's address, deliv- 
ered the fourih instant, before the City Government and the citizens, to 
be published for distribution. 

J. B. DAVID. 



In Board of Aldermen, July 10, 1876. 
Received its first and second reading and final passage. Sent down for 
concurrence. GEORGE I. VlNCENT, Clerk pro tern. 



In Common Council, July 13, 1876. 
Received its first and second reading and final passage in concurrence. 

SOLOMON DAVIS, Clerk. 




ADDRESS 



Mr. Mayor, Gentlemen of the City Council, Ladies and Gentlemen, 
Citizens of Somervi/le : 

On the 25th of May last, the following proclamation was issued 
by the President of the United States, viz : 

Whereas, a joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the United States was duly approved on the 13th day of March 
last which resolution is as follows : "Be it resolved by the Senate and 
House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress 
assembled, that it be, and is hereby recommended by the Senate and 
House of Representatives, to the people of the several States, that they 
assemble in their several Counties or I'owns, on the approaching Centen- 
nial Anniversary of our National Independence, and that they cause to 
have delivered on such day an historical sketch of said County or Town 
from its formation, and that a copy of said sketch may be filed in print or 
manuscript in the Clerk's Office of said County, and an addiiional copy, 
in print or manuscript, be filed in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, 
to the intent that a complete record may thus be obtained of the progress 
of our institutions during the first centennial of their existence." And 
whereas it is deemed proper that such recommendation be brought to the 
notice and knowledge of the people of the United States, now, therefore, 
I, Ulysses S. Grant. President of the United States, do hereby declare 
and make known the same, in the hope that the object of such resolution 
may meet the approval of the people of the United States, and that 
proper steps may be taken to carry the same into effect. Given under my 
hand at the City of Washington, the 25ih of May, in the year of our 
Lord 18 76, and of the Independence of the United States, the one 
hundredth. By the President, 

U. S. GRANT. 

Hamilton Fish, Secretary of State. 

Our State Government acting in accordance with Congress, 
passed an order to transmit to the clerks of the several cities and 
towns in the Commonwealth, a copy of the joint resolution 
referred to. 

In full sympathy with the request of Congress and the Chief 
Executive of the Nation (as expressed in the proclamation and 
resolve), and the action of the State Government, the City 



Council of Somerville appointed a Joint Select Committee, with 
full powers to act in consonance therewith, which committee have 
honored me with an invitatioh to undertake the task. I should 
have been proud to have taken even a less conspicuous part in the 
observance of this Centennial Anniversary of American Indepen- 
dence, but the short time allotted me to perform so important a 
work (onl}- nine secular days intervening since the date of invita- 
tion), it was with extreme reluctance that I r.ccepted the proffered 
honor, knowing well that the interval was much too brief, in 
which to prepare a complete historic sketch of a town or . city, 
even less active and progressive than our own. With this brief 
statement, I trust that any errors of omission or commission will 
receive your charitable consideration. 

It is required that this shall be an historic sketch, and as statis- 
tics must, of necessity, enter largely into its composition, it must 
necessarily be somewhat prosy in character. 

Somerville embraces a territory of about four square miles, and 
comprises an area of about twentj^-seven hundred acres. It was 
formerly a part of Charlestown, besides which, Charlestown origi- 
nally included Maiden, Woburn, Stoneham and Burlington, a 
large part of Medford, and a small part of Cambridge, Arlington 
and Reading. In 1637 the town of Charlestown paid thirty-six 
shillings to Squaw Sachem and Web Cowet, for land now a part 
of Somerville ; and in 1639, on the fifteenth of the second month, 
Charlestown also purchased of the same Indians, a large tract of 
land, which embraced a part of what is now Somerville and 
Arlington, for twenty-one coats, nineteen fathoms of wampum 
and three bushels of corn, the Indians reserving to their use their 
old fishing places and hunting grounds during the life of the 
Squaw. 

Within the limits of Somerville are located Temple's Farm 
(now known as Ten Hills), Quarry Hill, Ploughed Hill, Winter, 
Prospect and Cobble Hills, all of which are memorable spots and 
are certainly worthy of centennial note. 



On the sixth of September, 1630, a grant of 600 acres of Tem- 
ple's Farm was made to Governor John VVinthrop ; on the shore 
of this farm, the first vessel bnilt within the limits of Massachu- 
setts Colon}- was constructed, a barque of thirty tons, named the 
" Blessing of the Bay," which was launched on the 4th of July, 
1631, and, although this is the two hundred and forty-fifth anni- 
versary of the event, a portion of the ways used for the purpose 
is still visible. 

Situated on what was known as "Quarry Hill" is the old Pow- 
der House in which during Revolutionary times, was stored the 
powder of the province. This fact having been communicated 
to the British General Gage, he determined to secure it and on the 
1st of September, 1774, despatched two hundred and sixty troops 
under command of Lieutenant Colonel Madison for that purpose. 
They embarked at Long Wharf, Boston, in thirteen boats, landed 
at Temple's Farm, crossed over Winter Hill, seized the powder 
(two hundred and fifty barrels), placed it on board the boats, and 
conveyed it to Castle William. This fact becoming known created 
great excitement and indignation among the people, and it was 
with difficulty that they were persuaded to abandon an attempt to 
recapture it. 

In 1775, on each of the other hills mentioned, hastily con- 
structed forts or redoubts were located for the protection of Amer- 
ican troops, some of which proved exceedingly annoying to the 

British. 

It was on Prospect Hill on the 18th of July, 1775, that General 
Putnam raised his celebrated flag, bearing on one side the motto : 
"An appeal to Heaven," and on the reverse, the three vines 
(which are the armorial bearings of Connecticut), and the motto 
of that State, and on this hill also, was hoisted on New Year's 
day, 1776, and saluted with thirteen guns, the Union Flag bearing 

thirteen stripes. 

In November, 1777, after the defeat of Burgoyne, his troops as 
prisoners of war, occupied barracks on Prospeci and Winter Hills. 



On Cobble Hill, now occupied by the McLean Asylum, a fortifi- 
cation was planned by General Putnam and Colonel Knox, and 
the work commenced on the 2 2d of November, 1775. This was 
so well devised and constructed, that when finished it was named 
"Putnam's impregnable fortress." 

Having taken a cursory glance at the colonial history of the 
section of country- occupied by Somerville, let us ascertain the 
motive that induced the people of the locality to sever their con- 
nection with Charlestown, and form an independent organization. 

Being somewhat isolated from the central and densely populated 
portion of the town, with its people largely devoted to agricultural 
pursuits, their wants and wishes were treated with a careless indif- 
ference, or almost wholl}' neglected by the town government ; 
this created unrest and dissatisfaction among the people located 
above that section termed the "Neck," and known as the westerly 
part of the town. It was the same old story, " taxation without 
representation," or in other words, being compelled to bear a lib- 
ei-al share of the current exi:)cnses of the town, without receiving 
in return a just and equitable proportion of the benefits derived 
from the money expended. 

This state of things continued, until "forbearance ceased to be 
a virtue ;" it was talked over by the roadside, in the counting 
house and in the family circle, and was soon to culminate in a 
more independent and better plan of operations. 

On the twenty-second day of November, 1841, a meeting of 
the inhabitants of the westerly part of the town was held at the 
Prospect Hill School House, for the purpose of ascertaining their 
minds in regard to a division of the town. Captain Joseph iVlil- 
ler was chosen chairman, and Edwin Munroe, Jr., secretary. 

At this meeting the grievances of the people were freely dis- 
cussed, and after due deliberation a committee of seven was 
chosen to notify the inhabitants of the subject under consideration, 
obtain their views respecting the same, and request them to attend 
the next meeting to be held on the Monday evening following, to 



which time they adjourned. In accordance with the adjournment, 
they met at the same place with augmented numbers and greater 
enthusiasm ; and after properly introducing the subject which they 
had assembled to discuss, a committee of six was appointed to 
ascertain the amount of tax borne by the westerly part of the 
town, and also the amount of money expended in that section. 
After which they adjourned to the following Friday evening. 
Promptly at the place designated, the people assembled to listen 
to the report of their committee, on which so much necessarily 
depended,. 

The committee reported that the aggregate tax for the year was 
(as near as they could ascertain) $34,093.76, and the amount as- 
sessed upon the westerly part of the town $5,687.78, thus re- 
quiring that section to bear about one-sixth of the entire tax, 
without receiving anything like commensurate benefits, and the 
committee expressed the opinion, that the afiairs of the locality 
could be as well if not better managed at an annual cost of $5500. 

The report was accepted and adopted. It was then voted to 
have one thousand copies printed for the use of the inhabitants, 
and a committee of ten was chosen to distribute the reports. 

They were also authorized to procure the names of all inhabi- 
tants whose views were favorable to an independent organization, 
and to use all fair and honorable means to secure a division of 
the town, with power to employ counsel if needed. The meeting 
was then adjourned subject to the call of said committee. 

The committee feeling that they had an important work en- 
trusted to them, with commendable alacrity met at once, and 
voted to district the territory in question into five different parts, 
assigning a part to every two members of the committee, that the 
work might be more quickly and thoroughly performed. They 
also voted to procure counsel, that the legal rights of the citizens, 
might be fully protected, and that no effort might be spared to se- 
cure immunity from the imposition under which the people of that 
locality felt they were suffering. 



A second meeting of the committee was held the Monday fol- 
lowing, at which it was voted that Walford should be the name of 
the new town, subject to an alteration by a majority of the com- 
mittee, that being the name of the first white man resident of 
Charlestown. They then adjourned for one Aveek, when they 
again met and after an earnest discussion, it was voted to abandon 
the name of Walford and adopt that of Somerville. 

A petition signed b}- Guy C. Hawkins and other citizens, and 
one signed by the non-resident real estate owners, praying 
that the westerly part of the town of Charlestown (which was 
properly defined) might be set oflT from said Charlestown, and in- 
corporated as the town of Somerville, were duly presented and ad- 
vocated before the General Court, and no one, not a member of the 
Legislature, pressed the request of the petitioners with more zeal 
and energy than Hon. George O. Brastow who had at that time but 
just taken up his abode in the disaffected section. The result was 
the passage of the Act of Incorporation, approved by the Governor, 
March 3, 1842, which, however, by changing the eastern boun- 
dary line from the canal bridge, so called, to the present line, gave 
her less territory and less population than contemplated by the pe- 
titions presented, but sufficient to entitle her to one representative 
in the General Court. On the 5th of March, 1842, Ephraim But- 
trick, Esq., of East Cambridge, issued the first warrant for a meet- 
ing of the inhabitants to be held on the fourteenth day of March, 
1842, at the Prospect Hill School House, to Charles E. Gilman, 
the present eflScient cit}^ clerk, who has held the positions of town 
and city clerks successively since the first organization of the 
town government. A preliminary meeting of the voters was held 
on the tenth daj' of March, 1842, and nominated the following 
town officers : for Selectmen, Nathan Tufts, John S. Edgerly, 
Caleb W. Leland, Levi Russell and Luther Mitchell ; for Treasu- 
rer and Collector, Edmund Tufts ; for Town Clerk, Charles E. Gil- 
man ; all of whom were elected at the meeting held on the 14th of 
March, 1842, together with the other requisite town officers. 



Nathan Tufts was chosen chairman of the Board of Selectmen, 
and Levi Russell subsequently declining to serve as a member of 
the board, Francis Bowman was elected in his stead. 

Thus organized, with a total valuation of $988,513, and a 
population of 1013, which included a school population of less 
than 300, with one grammar and five primary schools, no church 
edifice erected within her borders, with less than 200 dwellings, no 
stores, and only one manufactory, relying upon a single old-style 
tub engine, wii.h a voluntary company for protection against fire, 
the new town of Somerville severed her connection with the 
mother town, and with bright hopes and lofty aspirations entered 
upon her new and untried destiny. 

To ascertain how well she has performed her part durmg the 
thirty-four years of her existence let us look at her record (though 
the examination must necessarily' be a hasty one), and notice 
some of the principal events in which she has taken part that we 
may, with some degree of accuracy, mark the progress she has 
made and accord her the credit to which she is entitled. 

The first meeting after the organization of the town was held 
April 4, 1842, when it was voted to make the following compara- 
tively modest appropriations for the current 3'ear, namelj' : for sup- 
port of schools, $1800; support of highways, $2000; county 
tax, $450 ; support of poor, $200 ; contingencies, $300 ; total 
amount appropriated, $4750 ; four-fifths of the amount, it will be 
seen, to be devoted to the education of the 3'outh and the im- 
provement of the roads. 

Fully believing in the moral and religious culture of the sons 
and daughters within her borders as indispensable to the success 
and prosperitj'^ of the people, every effort has been made from 
year to year to encourage and secure such an acquisition, and the 
religious and educational advantages of the town and city have 
steadily improved, until prosperous societies of the several relig- 
ious denominations, with comfortable church edifices, are located 
in our midst, and our public schools rank among the very best in 
the Commonwealth. 



10 

The first assembly for public worship met on the third Sunday 
of March, A. D., 1844, in an upper room of a building on the 
corner of Washington and Prospect Streets, and consisted of the 
representatives of about thirty families, but the first church edi- 
fice erected in the town was the Unitarian church, built of wood, 
on what is now called Highland Avenue, which was dedicated 
September 3, 1845, and the first sermon after its dedication was 
preached September 7, 1845, by the Rev. John T. Sargent, of 
Boston. This structure as well as its successor were consumed by 
fire, and the present brick church was erected on the site and ap- 
propriately dedicated on the thirty-first day of January, 1869. 

By an act of the Legislature, April 4, 1850, a Fire Department 
was established in Somerville, and soon after a new Fire Engine 
and Hose Carriage were purchased which were a much needed 
security in this direction. 

The first eight j-ears of the town's history showed an increase 
in valuation of $1,114,800, making the total valuation in 1850, 
$2,102,631, a gain of more than one hundred per cent. ; and the 
population during the same interval increased about two hundred 
and fift}' per cent., the aggregate number of inhabitants in 1850, 
being 3540, which included a school population of 781. At that 
time there were eight school buildings, containing ten schools, an 
increase of four, three of which were grammar schools. 

In 1851, the first Directory was published by Edmund Tufts, an 
unpretending little book, pocket-size, of thirty-two pages only, 
and contained the names of heads of families in Somerville, 590 
in number. 

On the 7th of April, 1851, the erection of the first High School 
building was authorized, the corner stone of which was laid Sep- 
tember 9th following, and the dedication took place on the 28th 
of April, 1852. On the following Monday, the school was opened 
with sixt3'-six pupils. 

During the year 1853, four additional ecclesiastical societies 
were established in the town, one each of the following denonii- 



11 

nations, namely : Orthodox, Methodist, Baptist and Universalist, 
showing conclusively that church and school accommodations 
were, from natural causes, easily made to keep pace with each 
other. 

In 1853, the Somerville Light Infantry was incorporated and 
organized. 

February 23, 1853, by an act of the General Court, the Charles- 
town Gas Company was allowed to extend its pipes into the town, 
and similar authority was granted to the Cambridge Gas Com- 
pany, under date of April 11, 1853. This luxury many residents 
at once availed themselves of. April 13, 1854, the Somerville 
Gas Light Company was incorporated, but as the wants of the 
people have been well provided for in this direction up to the 
present day by the two companies previously named, the last 
named companj' has never commenced operations. 

On the 29th of April, 1854, the Middlesex Horse Railroad 
Company was incorporated, and the road soon after completed 
from Boston to the eastern boundarj^ of the town, and put in ac- 
tive operation. A charter was also granted May 15, 1855. to the 
Medford and Charlestown Horse Railroad Company-, and one on 
the 29th of May, 1857, to the Somerville Horse Railroad Com- 
pany, and in the month of July following, the roads of both were 
finished and in complete operation, the line of the former extend- 
ing from the termini of the Middlesex Horse Railroad along the 
northerly side of the town to Medford, and that of the latter 
running from West Somerville, through the southern section, to 
Charlestown boundary' line, and both connecting with the Middle- 
sex Horse Railroad, thus furnishing a direct line of communica- 
tion from the several sections of the town to the great metropolis 
of the State. This mode of travel being so far superior to the 
omnibus method, on which the people for years had to a large ex- 
tent been dependent, quickly superseded it. In addition to these 
advantages, judicious improvements had been annually made in 
the streets and highways, which then covered an extent of more 



12 

than thirty miles. Reservoirs were constrncted, as additional 
safegnards in case of fire ; postal facilities extended and the 
sanitary condition of the town carefully' watched. 

In 1860 the entire population of the town was 8025, a gain in 
ten 3'ears of more than 125 per cent., while the advance in valua- 
tion during the same decade was about 187 per cent., the total 
valuation in 1860 being !if6,033,053. The school pojmla- 
tiun at that time numbered about 1500, and the number of schools 
had increased in ten years from ten to twenty-two, including one 
High and four Grammar Schools. The number of teachers then 
employed was thirty. 

Thus steadily and surely did the town continue to grow and 
prosper, and thus the j'ear 1»59 closed its record and the ac- 
count of its successor opened. J^ncouraged by the past, the 
people of Somerville looked forward to the future with brilliant 
anticipations, and with little thought that the great war cloud, 
which hung suspended over the entire countr}', was so soon to 
burst, and from which would descend upon them their share of 
the dread results and responsibilities that must neccssaril}' follow 
a fratricidal war ; but when the summons came they did not waver, 
or shrink from the duty devolving upon them. 

In obedience to the call of President Lincoln for the first three 
months troops, Governor Andrew ordered into service the Fifth 
Hegimeut, to which was attached the Somerville Light Infantry, 
and promptly did the^' respond, leaving their quiet and peaceful 
homes on the 19th of April, 1861, with full ranks, under command 
of Captain George O. Brastovv, to join their regiment, which was 
sent directly to Washington to aid in the defence of the threatened 
Capitol. 

The time of the regiment was spent in guarding the Treasur}' 
building and constructing Fort Ellsworth on Shuters Hill, and it 
also participated in the first battle of Bull Run, returning home 
shortly aftei' its term of service had expired. 

Early in 1862 the regiment was again hastily ordered to be in 



13 

readiness for marching orders to the front, and the company, under 
command of Captain Robinson with a full complement of officers 
and men, was the second to report for duty ; and although the 
regiment was prepared to leave in a few hours, the exigency had 
passed, and the several companies returned to their homes, ready 
to meet the next call in defence of the country, which was so soon 
to follow, for on the 28th of June following came the startling call 
for 300,000 more, and the Fifth Regiment tendered its services. 
On the nineteenth day of September in the same year, the regiment 
entered the service for nine months, and the Somerville Light In- 
fantry under command of Captain B. F. Parker, with full numbers, 
joined the regiment, which without unnecessary delay left for 
Newbern, N. C, its field of operations, where it did faithful ser- 
vice, engaging in several battles and patiently enduring the toil 
and suffering incident to the active life of a soldier. 

In addition to the service rendered by the Somerville Light 
Infantry already mentioned, a full company fur three years' service 
was raised in the town and organized, with Frederick R. Kinsley 
as Captain. This company was attached to the Thirty-ninth Regi- 
ment and served faithfully and fearlessly in the army of the Poto- 
mac. Captain Kinsley was promoted to Major and Colonel, and 
after glorious work in the final contest returned home in command 
of the regiment; but his brother. Captain Willard C. Kinsley 
(who had fairl}- won promotion from a Lieutenancy), with twenty- 
four other brave men, one-fourth of the company, sacrificed their 
lives, either upon the field, in the hospital, or amid the horrors of 
a military prison, and the monument erected by the ciiizens in the 
cemetery of the town, bears humble testimony to the fidelity and 
valor of these and other Somerville patriots whose lives were 
given in defence of the nation. 

Again, in July, 1864, did the Somerville Light Infantry join 
the indomitable Fifth Regiment, this time for an hundred days un- 
der command of Captain Coffin, which proceeded to the front, 
and by its service added fresh lustre to its brilliant history. Be- 
sides these full and complete companies furnished by the town, 



14 

hundreds of men from Somerville were to be found activel}- par- 
ticipating, either in the army or navy, in the great struggle which 
was shaking the countr}' from centre to circumference, and calling 
forth the stoutest energies of a powerful people. The whole 
number of men furnished for the war by Somerville in the differ- 
ent arms of service was 1135, forty of whom were commissioned 
officers. 250 men were wounded and 98 were killed or died from 
causes incident to the war. Not only did the town contribute 
men freely, but provided money for the national struggle with a 
lavish hand; furnishing for war purposes, $201,382.80, $65,822.- 
50 of which was the free-will offering of the citizens ; the balance, 
$135,560.30, being raised from time to time by the proper authori- 
ty of the town. And great credit is due those who had charge of 
its affairs at the time, for the very able and efficient manner in 
which they met the new responsibilities of the hour. And I must 
not omit to mention (though last in this connection not by any 
means the least) the noble and devoted women of Somerville, who 
toiled and suffered during those weary years, caring for the sick 
and wounded, sending not only messages of love, s^-rapathy and 
encouragement to those at the front, but, regardless of their per- 
sonal comfort, earnestly endeavoring to learn their several needs 
and anxiously striving to anticipate and supply them. 

I have thus hastily sketched the action of the people of Somer- 
ville during the years of civil war, and although the contest was 
ended years ago, there still rests upon us all a sacred obligation 
and duty towards those maimed and needy soldiers and those de- 
pendent upon them, now living within our borders, which should 
never be neglected. 

Notwithstanding the heavy burdens imposed by the war, the 
people were not wholly disheartened, but continued to make all 
reasonable improvements. April 4, 1863, the Somerville Horse 
Railroad Company secured the passage of an act authorizing 
them to extend their line from Union Square to East Cambridge 
boundary, and the road was completed and put in operation the 
year following. 



15 

In 1863, ninet^'-two street lamps were furnished by the abutters 
in different sections of the place, and were located and li^^hted at 
the expense of the town, thus providing an additional luxury 
which was fully appreciated. 

On the 26th of ]\Iarch, 1866, a new apportionment of Represen- 
tatives was authorized by the Legislature, and Soraerville and 
Maiden were made the fourth Representative District, which Dis- 
trict was entitled to three Representatives. 

On the 3d of May, 186G, an act was passed giving Charlestown 
the right to supply water to Soraerville and Maiden. 

On the 26th of May, 1866, the first steam fire engine was added 
to the Fire Department. 

The population and property had at this time increased to such 
an extent in some sections of the town, that additional protection 
at night seemed to be demanded, and early in the year 1867 a 
night watch was first established. 

The question of Pure Water supply also began to agitate the 
minds of the people, and at the town meeting held November 7, 
1867, a committee was appointed to confer with the Charlestown 
authorities relative to contracting with them for a supply of M\'s- 
tic water, and report at the next town meeting. 

At a meeting held on the thirteenth day of April, 1868, the 
committee reported, stating the terms upon which a supply could 
be obtained, and proposed the election of a committee to be called 
the '' Soraerville Mystic Water Coraraittee," with power to obtain 
the necessary legislative enactments to conclude a contract with the 
Water Commissioners, and to make any arrangements relative to 
the introduction, distribution and supply of the water, as should 
be consistent with the best interests of the town. 

The report was accepted and adopted, and it was voted that the 
committee for that year consist of Aaron Sargent, C, E. Rymes, 
R. A. Vinal, R. E. Demmon and Cutler Downer, and that the 
sum of $30,000 be appropriated for the purpose. 

The committee went to work in earnest and secured the passage 
of the Act of May 14, 1868, which gave to the town the authority 



16 

needed to proceed with the work, and authorized its raising, by 
taxation or borrowing for the purpose, $100,000. At a town 
meeting held September 18, 1868, it was voted to accept the act, 
and the committee previously appointed were empowered to carry 
the same into effect. That they were active and energetic, and 
fully entitled to the thanks of the community, is shown by the 
fact that an agreement was made with the city of Charlestown on 
the 21st of the same month, the work of laying the pipe com- 
menced on the 6th of October following, and before the close of that 
year some two and a half miles of distribution pipe had been laid, 
thereb}' securing to the inhabitants early in 1869, the introduction 
of pure water, the value of which, to any town or city, cannot easily 
be overestimated. Thus, step by step, has Somerville kept pace 
with the wants and requirements of the people, and in this I think 
it must be admitted lies one of the secrets of success of every town 
or municipality. 

During ten years ending with 1869, eight school houses were 
erected, sewers were constructed, miles of water pipe laid, and 
the general improvement of the town continued. And during this 
period a gain in valuation of over one hundred per cent, was 
produced, the total valuation in 1870 being SI 2,590,900, the pop- 
ulation then numbering 14,693, a gain during the ten years of 
about 83 per cent, and including a school population of 2739, this 
during an interval when the nation was engaged in the greatest 
civil war ever known. Still the motto of Somerville was 
"onward." 

To increase its water supply, authority was obtained from the 
Legislature under date of March 11, 1870, for a further issue of 
water bonds to the extent of $100,000. On the loth of March, 
1870, in anticipation of the wants of the community, an act in- 
corporating a savings bank was secured ; but this proved some- 
what premature, as up to this time the corporation, though 
organized, has never commenced operations. 

In 1870, the police force was increased and regularly organized, 



17 

with a chief, captain, two lieutenants and a clerk ; and early in 
1871 a day patrol was first established. 

On the 3d of December, 1870, the first issue of the Somerville 
Journal appeared, and was the first newspaper published in the 
town. It has improved in size and appearance and still continues 
to meet the wants of the communit}'. 

In 1871, the graduates and members of the High School formed 
an association for social, scientific and literary purposes, and se- 
cured an act of incorporation under date of February 20, 1871, 
and have done much to add to the social and intellectual culture 
of the place. 

In 1871, the steam fire engine house on Highland Avenue was 
completed, and the hose house on Marshall Street was commenced. 

The population of the town at this time had become so large, 
and their wants so numerous and varied, that the machinery of a 
town government seemed unwieldy and ill adapted to secure to 
the people equal rights and even-handed justice, and steps were 
taken to secure a delegated form of government, that more perfect 
equit}^ might be secured to the citizens in the administration of 
their affairs. A petition was therefore presented to the Legislature 
early in 1871, asking for a city charter, which resulted in the 
passage of the act to establish the cit}^ of Somerville, a{)proved 
April 14, 1871, subject, however, to its adoption by a majority 
of its voters, voting upon the subject within sixt}' days from the 
date of the act. A town meeting was accordingly held on the 
27th of April, 1871, and the vote was about two to one in favor 
of the change. 

The act prescribed that the election of city officers should take 
place on tlie first Monday of December, and the municipal year to 
begin the first Monday of January following. 

This was the most important step that the people had taken 
since the town was organized, and was calculated to have an im- 
portant bearing upon the future progress of the place. But few 
there were who failed to see the great advantages to be derived 



18 

from the change, and the new regime was looked forward to by 
most of the people with satisfaction and pleasure. 

Fully alive to the wants of the communit}-, at the meeting of 
the town held April 27, 1871, a committee of sixteen was ap- 
pointed to consider and report a plan for operating a public 
library, and on the 7th of November following reported in favor 
of establishing a public library under the management of nine 
trustees, and also presented a form of by-laws and regulations for 
its government, all of which met the approval of the people and 
were adopted. 

On Monday, the fourth day of December 1871, the election of 
city officers took place, and as the views of the people respecting 
their first selection, were comparatively harmonious, with little or 
no struggle among aspirants for positions, with which was coupled 
an unusual amount of labor, the event was attended with but little 
excitement and resulted in the election of Hon. George 0. 
Brastow for mayor, together with the other officers required by the 
charter, and on Monday, the first day of January, 1872, the new 
cit}' government was formally inaugurated. A choice was made 
of Charles E. Gilman, Esq., for city clerk, and the present worthy 
treasurer, Aaron Sargent, Esq., for city treasurer. Thus in the 
selection of these two officers was manifested a special care for 
the new city's interest at the verj^ outset. The fact that the old 
method of managing the affairs of the people, which had been ad- 
hered to for nearly thirty years, was to be abandoned, the day 
was made the occasion for some unusual demonstrations, and ac- 
cordingly a salute was fired at the close of the inauguration cere- 
monies, and in the evening a grand ball was given in honor of the 
event. 

Under these faA'orable auspices did those who had been en- 
trusted with the management of the city's interests commence 
their labors, and the task before them was certainly no mere 
pastime. Besides the natural wants of a rapidly increasing com- 
munity which occupied much of the time of the several com- 
mittees to whom they were referred, the City Council were required 



19 

to frame rules and orders for their own guidance — enact laws and 
ordinances for the protection of the property and the rights of the 
citizens, lay out new roads and improve old ones, provide ad- 
ditional school accommodations, and improve the sanitary condi- 
tion of the several sections of the cit3^ 

To accomplish all that devolved upon them necessitated meet- 
ings once a week, and the midnight hour frequently found them 
diligently at work for the public weal. 

In February, 1872,. this beautiful High School building which 
we now occupy, was completed and dedicated on the 27th of the 
same month,, and from which is annually seen to graduate some 
two score of the cultured youth of the city, "well fitted to adorn 
any position in life which they may be called upon to fill. 

The first High School building having been superseded by the 
new structure, it was converted into the Jirst City Hall. 

To- enable the city to further extend its water pipes, it became 
necessary to make another issue of bonds, and legislative sanction 
wa& obtained by an act dated March 19, 1872, authorizing the 
issuing of additional water bonds to the amount of S200,000, 
miaking the total amount authorized $400,000. With the means 
thus secured the demand of the citizens for a supply of pure water 
was largel}' satisfied. 

The constant growth of the city and the large increase in its 
population, brought with them their accompanying trials, and it 
was deemed advisable to have a police court established in the city, 
which was authorized by an act of the Legislature, April 23, 1872, 
and the Hon. Isaac Story was appointed standing justice, with 
Lebbeus Stetson, clerk, and without dela}^ a room in the City Hall 
building was fitted up for this new department.' 

To improve the sanitary- condition of the city, and to provide a 
better system of drainage, the legislative act of May 3, 1872, was, 
secured, which authorized the filling of all low lands within the 
city to a grade not less than thirteen feet above mean low water. 
About this time the waters of Miller's river, which flowed along 
the southern boundary of the city, had become so polluted by the 



20 



deposits of the slaughtering establishments along its banks, that 
the locality had gained an unenviable notoriety, and had become 
dangerous to the public health. With a view to remedy this great 
and rapidly increasing evil, the legislative act of May 6, 1872, 
was passed, constituting the Harbor Commissioners and the State 
Board of Health a board of commissioners to devise some plan 
for the abatement of the nuisance, and patiently and thoroughly 
did they labor to perform the duty assigned them. 

Besides these measures that had been secured for the benefit of 
the people of Somerville, by the unremitting labors of its first city 
government, miles of brick sidewalks were laid, school houses im- 
proved, a more comprehensive plan of sewerage adopted, and great 
improvements made in tlie highvva3's, roads and bridges. 

The government of 1873 had at its head the same efficient ex- 
ecutive, and but little change was made in the officers comprising 
the City Council. 

On the 20th of Ma}', 1873, authority was obtained of the Legis- 
lature to drain into Alewife Brook, but it was subseq'ieutly deemed 
inexpedient to act under* its provisions, and otiier plans were 
adopted. 

The commission appointed a year previous to devise a plan for 
the abatement of the Miller's river nuisance, so called, reported, 
recommending the filling up of certain parts of the river, and one 
of the most important steps taken by the government of 1873 was 
to secure the passage of the act of .the Legislature, May 23, 1873, 
authorizing the cities of Cambridge and Somerville to fill up Mil- 
ler's river, and construct a trunk sewer through ftlilk and Bridge 
Streets to deep water at Cragie bridge. 

The magnitude of the work, the benefits to be derived from its 
successful completion, and the difficult}^ attending its consumma- 
tion could hardl}' be estimated at the time o.f its iiic<'ption. 

A contract for the construction of that part of the sewer devolv- 
ing upon Somerville to build was made without delay, and the work 
commenced earl}' in the fall of that year, and continued as long as 
the season would permit. 



21 

On the first day of May, 1873, the public library with 2386 vol- 
umes upon its shelves, was thrown open to the people, thus adding 
another to the many attractions of the city. 

Although much extra labor was required the year previous, to 
set the wheels of a new government in motion, each successive 
year brought with it new cares and responsibilities, and the repre- 
sentatives of the people found little or no respite from the labors 
assumed, but worked faithfully and diligently to the end. In 1873 
a new brick school house was erected on Vinal Avenue, and a brick 
hose house on Highland Avenue. The police department was im- 
proved and the fire department made more effective bj' the addition 
of a new horse hose carriage and equipments ; unusual improve- 
ments were also made in some of the main avenues, and the re- 
sult of the year's labor seemed to be satisfactory to the community. 

The year 1874 brought with it quite a change in the governing 
power. The executive officer during the two preceding years, 
having declined a re-election, the mayoralty was placed in new 
hands, and sixteen new members were also elected to the City 
Council. 

The first important measures brought before them were the com- 
pletion of the sewer in Miller's river district, and the filling up of 
the river as contemplated b}' the act of 1873, both of which were 
by the earnest efforts of the administration substantially complet- 
ed at the close of the year. 

The business of the police department had increased to such an 
extent that orders were passed to erect a new building for its ac- 
commodation, which was commenced in the fall of 1874. 

An act to provide for a public park in the city of Somerville 
was approved by the Legislature March 25, 1874, and was at 
once brought to the attention of the City Council. The territory 
defined by the act consisted of some sixteen acres on the northerly 
side of the city, some three feet below the legal grade. Great 
pressure was brought to bear upon the government by both the 
friends and opponents of the measure, and it was earnestly con- 
tested with a result in favor of its friends, and the sum of $200,000 



22 



was appropriated, to lay out and construct the same under the pro- 
visions of the act. 

The work of purchasing the land and filling the same to a 
proper grade, was placed in the hands of appropriate committees, 
and their arduous labors were at once commenced. 

To further perfect the working of the fire department, an act of 
the Legislature was procured, under date of April 24, 1874, and 
the department was subsequentl}' reorganized in accordance 
therewith, 

A fire alarm telegraph was established soon after, and was first 
put in operation June 17th, the same year. 

The action of the administration relative to the public park, 
Avas the cause of disaffection among the opponents of the measure 
and at the election of city officers in December, 1874, it was 
made a political issue ; but as the people had become more famil- 
iar with the merits of the measure it had grown in popular favor, 
and the action of the government was fully endorsed at the polls. 

The officers of the government for 1875 were the same as for 
the 3'ear preceding, with the exception of three Aldermen and 
nine members of the Common Council. 

The principal work devolving upon the administration of 1875, 
was the completion of the new police station, the construction of 
the public park, and the widening and grading of Broadwaj', the 
main avenue on the northerly side of the city. Each of these 
measures had much to do with the future prosperity of the city, 
and, therefore, received a large share of the attention of the City 
Council. 

The police station was completed before the close of the year, 
and is a credit to the city. It is a brick structure with granite 
trimmings, located on Bow Street, and was fitted up for the special 
accommodation of the police court, police department, the Somer- 
ville Light Infantry and Overseers of the Poor, and also contains 
a hall of liberal dimensions for ward and city purposes. 

The work on the public park and Broadway was carried on 
through the year, but was not completed at its close. Besides the 



23 

improvements above named, continued progress was made in ex- 
tending the water supply and drainage of tlie city, in building 
brick sidewalks, completing new streets, and in improving the 
various school buildings. 

For the government of 1876, the people made choice of Hon. 
Austin Belknap for mayor, two aldermen and five councilmen of 
the previous administration, and seventeen new members. Thus 
composed, the government was duly inaugurated on the 3d of 
Januar}' last. 

The work of completing the public park seemed to be first in 
order, and the committee having the matter in charge were author- 
ized to employ a skilful gardener, and the choice fell upon Her- 
mann Grundel, Esq., the celebrated landscape gardener and florist, 
and under his and their supervision the territory heretofore alluded 
to, comprising some sixteen acres, situated much below the drain- 
age level of the locality and rapidly becoming prejudicial to the 
public health, was made to "rejoice and blossom as the rose." On 
the 17th of June last it was formally dedicated to public use, and 
can hardly fail to be fully appreciated b^' a progressive community. 

Somerville has just entered upon the thirty -fifth 3'ear of her ex- 
istence, and what is her record to-day ? She has a population ac- 
cording to the census of last year of 21,594, including a school 
population of 3708. A valuation made up at the same time of 
$31,317,000, with twenty churches and societies, eighteen school 
buildings accommodating sevent3"-six schools, a public library of 
over 5000 volumes, upwards of 4000 dwellings, and nearly 300 
stores and manufactories, with a police and fire department unex- 
ceptionable in men and material, and a military record that all 
should be proud of. 

The city being located within easy reach of the capital of the 
State, almost encircled by popular lines of railroads, with natural 
elevations made historic, from which may be seen a landscape of 
unrivalled beauty, with gas and pure water in abundance, has in- 
duced many to leave the crowded cities adjacent and secure a res- 
idence within its limits ; and rapid strides have been made in lay- 



24 

ing oat new streets, and in the erection of dwellings of varied 
style of architectnre, some of which are almost palatial in their 
snrroandings and appointments. To satisfy the natural demands 
of this rapid growth, different branches of industry and trade hare 
spcting up, and now the manufacturer, the mechanic and the trades- 
man here find encouragement to pursue the vocation they have sev- 
erally adopted, and the hum of machinery, the din and clatter of 
the implements of the builder and the laborer, the stir and noise of 
the merchant and trafficker, are frequently heard in oar midst, while 
those who heretofore tilled the soU for a livelihood within her 
borders, now find little space in which to operate or wield the im- 
plements of husbandry. 

Somerville, it is seen, has much within her borders of historic 
interest, much to keep vivid in the memory of her citizens, those 
heroes the record of whose valorous deeds shines with a brighter 
lustre each anniversary of the nation's birth. Almost every acre 
of her territory is hallowed ground, made so by the events of over 
an hundred years ago. Stretching across what is now our city, 
from north to soath, earthworks were formed to protect those 
brave men who stoutly resisted British aggression, and struggled 
manfully for that liberty and freedom which we now enjoy, and 
althoush more than a century has passed away since their formar 
tion, lines of these humble monuments are still visible on our hiU 
tops, constantly reminding us of the sacrifices of those faithful and 
fearless men of 1775, which resulted "in giving a free and inde- 
pendent nation to the world." 

In closing permit me to suggest, that, if the result of this 
centennial anniversary, which is being observed throughout the 
length and breadth of our land, should be to strengthen the bond 
which unites o«r people in one common brotherhood, and incites 
in us an a desire and determination to emulate the noble virtues 
of the honest yeomanry of an hundred years ago, the time, labor and 
money spent in the celebration, will not have been spent in vain. 

Let us hope and pray then that such iciU be the grand and 
glorious sequel. 



LIBRfiRY OF CONGRESS 



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014 110 747 1 



